First, it was smartphones, then came smartwatches. Now even our homes are smart. But just what makes a home smart?
From speakers to thermostats to locks to lightbulbs, homeowners have no shortage of choices when it comes to adding smart devices to their homes. The problem with creating a smart home is that it’s easy to add a bunch of smart devices to your home but more difficult to have those devices communicate with one another. Without that communication, however, it’s difficult to call a home truly smart.
Furthermore, having to use different apps to control smart devices can be more work for a homeowner who anticipates that these devices will make their lives easier than their “dumb” counterparts. While a voice-controlled speaker may be able to turn on some devices, their compatibility is limited. Why bother unlocking a Bluetooth lock if it doesn’t interface with any other device in your home?
On top of this, some of those devices are more form than function. For instance, color-changing LED bulbs that respond to voice might be fun, but you certainly wouldn’t argue that they’re necessary. The industry is still young enough that consumers are impressed enough to purchase these superfluous devices, and manufacturers know they can appeal to buyers with buzz words rather than practical solutions to our everyday concerns.
So how do you move from a barely-connected network of devices that have been cobbled together clunkily to an integrated smart home full of devices that work efficiently and make your life easier? And is it possible for smart devices to cater to our lives rather than the other way around.
With the current state of technology, a smart home hub is necessary. These hubs connect to every smart device and can even reduce strain on the wireless network. Residents save time and effort by logging into a single app to control all of their smart devices, whether they’re at home or away.
Fortunately, hardware and software manufacturers are considering this. Compatibility and remote operation are increasingly possible. As this progress continues, smart devices will integrate even more seamlessly into our lives, producing truly smart homes. Perhaps someday these homes will be able to anticipate our needs rather than simply allowing the user to control the devices within them.
If you’re interested in incorporating smart home technology, Ali Mohamed and morConnect can help! They have a variety of financing options available. Learn more on their website. A recent way morConnect has helped serve their clients is by offering 1000 free Google Minis during the COVID 19 crisis. These devices will help people stay connected to their loved ones during these difficult times.